luda42688

iTrader: (2)

Year/Model: 1998 GS400
Mileage: 102,000
How long have you owned it: 5yrs (put 50K miles on it during that time)
Major service needed/done:
1.) Ball-joints
2.) Outer tie rods
3.) Rack bushings
4.) Serpentine belt
5.) Couple of door lock actuators went out
6.) Caster Arm bushings
8) Need to replace shocks and do a timing belt job on her.

Gunnut

98 GS400
Almost 219,000 (bought with 90k)
Bought in May of 07
Things that cost money:
timing belt/water pump twice 90k and 180k.
Struts all the way around.
Alternator
Ball joints, control arms all stock
Front brakes twice
on third set of Michelins
Added a can of freon a couple years ago.
Tune up about 100k ago (probably due for new plugs)
Replaced original headlight with new to get rid of fog in 07 or 08. (had the new ones clear bra'd and they are as clear as the day I installed them.)
Replaced windshield back in 07-idiots cut through the paint getting the old one out and car rusted under the trim- had to have it repaired last winter. First estimate was $1700-minimum.
Everything still works except door lock on Passenger front.

Not planning on a new car for quite some time.

heybro

99 GS300
just over 250,000k (bought with 170k)
Bought in June of 13'
Things that cost money:
timing belt/water pump tensioner kit 180k
serpentine belt and tensioner (tensioner seized and chew up belt)
Alternator
Ball joints twice per side,
Front brakes 3times, rears once
just did plugs and wires
Re manufactured gauge pod, mine died
Replaced original headlights/taillights with aftermarket led's...wana switch back now
Replaced windshield twice due to rocks flying up off the highway
outer and inner tie rods
serpentine belt
replaced all door actuators
replaced broken key
replaced battery
recovered ripped center armrest leather
had cam seals replaced
1 new set all 4 tires

pukujuhla

Year/Model: 99 GS400
Mileage: 274,000 - bought with 140k
How long have you owned it: 8 years - bought Nov. 07
Major Service:
3 sets of tires
2 sets of brakes
Ball Joints
Tie Rods inner and outer
New Windshield and rust repair above windshield
New starter @ 200k
New Bilsteins and Tanabe Springs
Figs Caster Arm bushings
Aux input
Plugs
I"m overdue for a 2nd timing belt service...*fingers crossed

Everything works - best car I've ever owned. I keep test driving 3rd gen GS430/460 and I still like my 99, it feels like it's just built better!!!

ilcitdream

iTrader: (1)

Year/Model: 99 GS400
Mileage: 114k
How long have you owned it: 4 months, but waited to own one for 10 years...
Major Service: Nothing Major yet since it has been just bought recently.
New NGK plugs
New K&N FIPK
Brand New Amsoil ATF fluid drained, pan dropped cleaned and filled.
Oil Changed
Ready to Roll

BayAreaLex

Nice replies guys, keep them coming!

I'm curious if some of you high mileage guys ever replaced your transmission fluid. I always hear mixed opinions about whether this should be done or not.

Also, I'm particularly interested if anyone snapped a timing belt or needed a transmission replacement? In all my years, I've only heard of one 2GS snapping a timing belt. Transmission replacements are extremely rare on these cars as well. I recall lots of 200K mile examples with the stock timing belt however.

pukujuhla

In regard to transmission fluid, I think I'm going to change mine. Sometimes in the morning the 2-3 shift is sometimes reluctant to shift until higher rpm. As for timing belts, I hope they last. I've got 160k on my second belt.

That said, the problem and good news with the 460's - timing chain, lasts forrreevvverrr...BUT it's way more mechanical sounding and louder the our 4.0 - I just don't like it.

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

I've be more worried of the water pump seizing before the timing belt snaps. You should probably get that changed soon.

Volunthai

GS 400 just hit 150,000!
beside the standard stuff (brakes, tires, timing belt at 90k, etc) my main issue was last year needed a new master brake cylinder. Garage quoted me $3000 new part, so I followed advice on the forum and got a pre-owned MBC online for $500, installed for $300 more.
Took her in for a check-up today and need new valve cover gaskets. All in all not bad for such an awesome (17-year-old) car!
[pics below!]

Volunthai

Volunthai

Gdwrench35

Mine is pretty low mileage (under 80k) but I worked on one today that had 318k on the original motor and trans. Diff was replaced at 280k.

ilcitdream

iTrader: (1)

My Gs400 doesn't really have that high a mileage, but in regards to changing the transmission fluid I say yes. I have done mine and cleaned out the pan because I expect this car to last as long if not longer than my 99 4runner. Toyota makes great engines and transmissions. To give you an example my 4Runner has the bullet proof 3.4 v6 matched with automatic. I have changed the transmission fluid on the proper intervals and dropped the pan once so far and cleaned the screen/filter with water and soap. She now has 280k miles and I expect to get at least 350k.

I agree with ThomasGS4. The timing belt from what I have read on Toyota vehicles (as long as they are OEM) and have experienced are rock solid, but the mechanical moving parts (i.e. pulleys, WP, etc...) are what fail long before the timing belt ever does...

pukujuhla

So I need peer support as I don't trust my wife with my car's fate

Should I stick a $1500 into my 275k mile GS400 or is it time to move on? Car is in fantastic shape for it's age, but where do I draw the line. Let's here what the popular opinion is

ilcitdream

iTrader: (1)

$1500 for what?